It was a night of shocks and – for a number of well-known political faces – particularly painful defeats, as Labour was crushed in Scotland and the Liberal Democrats, too, lost a number of their star players across the UK, alongside other high profile surprises.

Scottish National party leaders expect the party to wield far greater power at Westminster after the general election by winning seats on key committees and earning substantial Commons speaking rights.

Police and election officials in Scotland have issued warnings to polling stations and local commanders after radical nationalists urged voters to photograph their ballot papers and follow ballot boxes to count centres on Thursday night.

Nick Clegg’s chances of striking a quick deal with the Conservatives after the election were dealt a blow when former party leader Lord Steel let it be known his party should reject a further coalition.